ACEC/MA’s QBS Committee works to educate owners about the importance of using Qualifications-Based Selection for the procurement of engineering, land surveying, architecture, and related professional services.
ACEC National Qualifications-Based Selection Resource Portal
About QBS
When procuring design services, government agencies and private companies should award contracts based on the qualifications of the firms. This is known as Qualifications-Based Selection. Selection of design professionals using qualifications accomplishes the goals of delivering quality projects at competitive costs while safeguarding the public.
Key Points
Public agencies that use QBS to procure engineering services can better control construction costs and achieve a consistently high degree of project satisfaction than those using other procurement methods, according to a two-year study led by Paul S. Chinowsky, PhD, University of Colorado, and Gordon A. Kingsley, PhD, Georgia Tech. QBS should continue to be the procurement method of choice for public contracting officers seeking to acquire A/E services to meet increasingly challenging infrastructure needs.
- QBS is used by federal agencies, 44 states, and many localities throughout the country. QBS works because:
- QBS protects the taxpayer. Most individuals would not select medical or legal services based solely on cost – these highly skilled services are too important to leave to the lowest bid. Likewise, engineering is a highly skilled service that should not be selected on the lowest bid. The skill level of the engineer directly affects the health, safety and welfare of the public.
- QBS also protects the taxpayer’s pocketbook. Over the life of a project, engineering services account for less than one-half of 1 percent of total project costs. Yet these services play a huge role in determining the overall project costs, as well as the quality of the completed project. QBS lowers the overall cost of projects through designs that reduce change orders during construction and minimize long-term maintenance and repair costs.
- QBS benefits small firms. QBS helps small firms compete by providing a forum to demonstrate their unique capabilities that often include a greater degree of niche market expertise, knowledge of local regulations and business practices, and greater involvement of senior level management in the execution of a project.
- QBS promotes technical innovation. Using QBS, owners have the opportunity to fully define the Project scope during the selection process. This process fosters innovative, cost-saving and timesaving approaches to problems, the final project to meet or exceed the owner’s goals.
The Massachusetts legislature passed an FY2010 Supplemental budget, which included our QBS language. Please see sections 4, 6 and 22 in the bill for reference. Other resource materials on QBS are also below.
Resource Materials and Links
ITE Best Practices in Selecting Transportation Consultants
PPT from 5/11/2021 ACEC/MA Member Briefing: PDF of Presentation
Recording of 5/11/2021 ACEC/MA Member Briefing: https://youtu.be/4l330QzjJqU
Link to MGL Chapter 7C, Section 58: State QBS Law for MassDOT, Massport, and MBTA
Link to FY2010 Supplemental Budget with QBS Clarification Language
ACEC/MA QBS Manual – updated version as of 1-22-2026 – Fillable PDF
ACEC/MA 1 Page Chart on the QBS Process
Co-Chairs:
Erik C. Atkins, PE
Regional Director of Highway Services
McFarland Johnson
125 Nagog Park, Suite 220
Acton, MA 01720
(978) 795-6942
David L. Loring, PE, LEED AP ENVSP
Vice President
Pare Corporation
508/543-1755
Board Liaison:
Principal Engineer
Lahlaf Geotechnical Consulting, Inc. (LGCI)
23 McGinness Way
Billerica, MA 01821